digWHICHhttp://digwhich.com/Fri, 07 Sep 2018 15:23:47 +0000en-USSite-Server v6.0.0-16174-16174 (http://www.squarespace.com)A blog exploring which digital products are the best, with a focus on cell <br/>phone plans, streaming TV services, digital media, and the gadgets, apps, <br/>and companies that make it all work.How to watch NFL RedZone online in 2018 and stream NFL Network free on iPhone, iPad, Android, and moreJohn LannanFri, 07 Sep 2018 15:23:47 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/watch-nfl-redzone-online-201855031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:5b929803032be49d685a549fHow to watch NFL RedZone and NFL Network online is a question that has a
different answer every year, and 2018 is no different. There are several
ways to stream NFL RedZone and free live games this year depending on the
game you’re watching and the type of device you have. How to watch NFL RedZone and NFL Network online is a question that has a different answer every year, and 2018 is no different. There are several ways to stream NFL RedZone and free live games this year depending on the game you’re watching and the type of device you have.

New for this year, all smartphone and tablet users can watch NFL online free with just a few caveats. In the past, this was only available to Verizon subscribers on smartphones. The available games are all primetime games, plus the Sunday afternoon games available on your local CBS and FOX channels. Stream free in the NFL app or Yahoo Sports app. On smartphones, the NFL app also includes a free stream of NFL Network, and NFL RedZone is available for just $5 per month. To watch these on a tablet, you’ll need to have a TV subscription (see below). This is a great way to watch NFL online while on the go, but it is limited to a smartphone and tablet screens only - using AirPlay, Cast, or a cable to watch on a TV will not work.

Watch NFL RedZone, NFL Network, and more on iPad, TVs, and other devices

A few games are available to stream free on bigger screens, but you’ll have to pay to get everything else. 11 Thursday Night Football games will be simulcast (simulstreamed?) on the Prime Video app free for Amazon Prime subscribers. Check the NFL schedule to see what games are available.

To watch NFL RedZone and other live games online, a paid streaming service will be required. The following services include NFL RedZone and NFL Network:

Sling is the least expensive way to get NFL Network and RedZone, but the other packages include many more channels. Fubo TV is loaded with regional sports channels and Vue has a broad selection of programming. Before picking one, check what broadcast channels are available in your local area as they carry a lot NFL games and other live sports. All of these options have free trials, so try them for yourself. Note that other than the Amazon Prime games, these paid services do not allow you to stream NFL games on smartphones, but you can watch games free on smartphones as mentioned above.

Other ways to watch live NFL games

There are other streaming services that carry live NFL games on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network but they do not carry RedZone. Some of the more popular options are DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and CBS All Access.

NFL Sunday Ticket is available online again. While it appears to be more widely available, it is not available to everyone. Starting at $294 for the season, this is expensive, and only allows you to watch Sunday afternoon games NOT available on your local CBS and FOX stations. RedZone can be added, bringing the price to $396 per season. There are significant discounts available for college students.

It is also possible to watch NFL online by signing into apps with credentials from a traditional cable TV package. Different apps support different cable providers.

If you want to get a little more creative, there are DVRs available that allow you to stream content from them. These can be hooked up to an antenna or cable service, either at your house or perhaps a friend’s or relative’s. See our roundup of the best DVRs.

]]>The Best Streaming Media Player for 2016John LannanThu, 08 Sep 2016 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/best-streaming-media-player55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:57c640cb414fb5fe041b1877The battle for the best streaming media player has many worthy contenders.
There are many very capable boxes on the market today at a variety of price
points. Of course, the hardware is only as good as the content available on
it, and all the boxes now offer most popular streaming services, with a few
notable exceptions. Still, there are some important differences that set
the best streaming media players apart now and into the future.The battle for the best streaming media player has many worthy contenders. There are many very capable boxes on the market today at a variety of price points. Of course, the hardware is only as good as the content available on it, and all the boxes now offer most popular streaming services, with a few notable exceptions. Still, there are some important differences that set the best streaming media players apart now and into the future.

Apple TV - the best and most expensive

The new 4th generation Apple TV is the best streaming media player in my opinion. It offers several advancements over its predecessors and the other options on this list. However, it is also the most expensive option and Amazon Prime isn’t available as a native app, only with an iOS device and AirPlay. The advanced features are worth the money for people that have abandoned cable or watch lots of streaming TV and movies.

Everything about the new Apple TV is better. It is quicker to seek within a video, the new remote supports voice search and can control other devices, and it is overall speedier. Siri voice search is an indispensable feature, and can be used to find a show on Netflix, a YouTube video, or jump directly to the ESPN2 live stream. Siri search also displays what apps a title is available on (in supported apps) and I use it all the time to see if something is available for free before buying or renting. The remote has also become my primary (but not universal) remote because it supports controlling other devices over HDMI. Now when I tap the remote, my TV automatically turns on and changes to the correct input. The remote also has infrared so I can change my TV's volume. Some of my apps are adding advanced features such as picture-in-picture and Apple has already announced new features that will make the box even better and easier to use.

The games and non-video apps currently available are not extremely compelling, but Apple receives better support from developers than its competitors. For this reason I expect the Apple TV to have the best apps and features going forward, even if it doesn’t have the most apps overall.

Users of other Apple devices will get the most out of the Apple TV, as it is the only streaming media player to support AirPlay, iTunes, and iCloud.

Amazon Fire TV, Roku - two more good options

The Amazon Fire TV and Roku other other great choices that are more affordable. The higher-end boxes from both companies offer many of the same advanced features as the Apple TV, such as voice search, apps and games, and speedy processors. They also offer some features the Apple TV does not, such as 4k support (with capable TV and content), all while costing less.

Both support Amazon Prime streaming and Amazon Video for rentals and purchases, and Roku also offers Vudu, Google Play, and Fandango.

Chromecast, Channelmaster DVR+ - niche devices

The Chromecast is a small and inexpensive device with support for most popular services, but its lack of a dedicated remote is a deal-breaker for me. It is available for $35 from Google.

Channel Master’s DVR+ isn't primarily a streaming box, it's a DVR made to work with an antenna that also supports a handful of streaming services: Sling, Vudu, and YouTube. The selection of streaming services pales in comparison to the above choices and the price is high, but the DVR+ may be a nice option for cord-cutters. It starts at $250 at the Channel Master store and is also available on Amazon as part of a $300 bundle that includes a wifi dongle and HDMI cable.

Wrap-up

Any of these devices is capable of streaming HD videos from a variety of services. Although the best choices are several times more expensive than the cheapest, they offer the best experience and will save time for years to come.

]]>The Best Streaming Media Player for 2016How to watch NFL online without cable for 2016John LannanWed, 31 Aug 2016 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2016/8/18/watch-nfl-online-without-cable55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:57b533e3c534a5d8850826a9There are more options to watch the NFL online without cable for the
upcoming 2016/17 season than ever before. Some games will be streamed free,
others are available with a subscription streaming service, and there are
additional options from some cell phone carriers. Read on to see how to
watch NFL online free and without cable this season.There are more options to watch the NFL online without cable for the upcoming 2016/17 season than ever before. The Thursday Night Football schedule has been expanded and several of those games will be streamed free. There are also more options to watch NFL games from subscription streaming services. Just like last year, select pay TV companies support streaming games through the ESPN, FOX Sports,NBC Sports, and NFL Network apps, but only after logging in with your cable TV credentials. Read on to see how to watch NFL online free and without cable this season.

How to watch NFL online on iPhone and Android smartphones

Apps to watch NFL online without cable

Live streaming most NFL games on a smartphone requires a Verizon data plan, the only exceptions being games streamed free by Twitter. Verizon customers can stream Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night games as well as local-market Sunday afternoon games (games on your local CBS or FOX stations) and 24/7 NFL Network coverage for free. NFL RedZone is also available for a small monthly fee. Games can be accessed through the official NFL app for iPhone and Android.

Live stream 10 Thursday Night games free on iPhone, iPad, Android, and computers

As part of the expanded Thursday Night Football schedule, Twitter will stream 10 games for free on smartphone, tablets, computers, and other connected devices. The free games are weeks 2-3, 5-7, 11, and 13-16. It isn't exactly clear yet how the games will be presented and how or if they will be available on devices such as Apple TV and Roku.

Update: Twitter has released an app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox One to watch NFL online on the big screen. There is an option to view top tweets, vines, and periscopes alongside the live video stream.

RedZone now available without cable and other streaming options

Sling TV and Playstation Vue are two subscription streaming services that include access to a lot of NFL games. Both services include ESPN in their base packages and new for this season both will offer NFL Network and RedZone. This will be the first time RedZone is widely available without a cable package or the equally expensive Sunday Ticket streaming service (see below).

Sling TV starts at $20 per month, but the $25 or $40 package is required to get NFL Network (note the $25 package does not include ESPN though). RedZone is available as a $10 per month add-on to the $25 or $40 packages. Vue's price depends on the availability of broadcast channels in your area. It is priced at $30-$45 in locations that only receive CBS live, and $40-$55 in areas that receive ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC live. RedZone is available for a one-time fee of $40, and can be added to the middle or upper-tier packages.

Both of these services are a great way to stream live NFL games without cable. Sling is the least expensive way to watch NFL online from ESPN, NFL Network, and RedZone, but Vue offers more NFL games in areas that receive all of the broadcast channels. Both are available on iPhone/iPad, Android, computers, and several streaming boxes, but only Sling is available on Apple TV. Check out their free trials and see what works for you.

NFL Sunday Ticket - streaming availability still limited

NFL Sunday Ticket, the service that gives fans access to every NFL game not on their local TV channels, is again available streaming. However, the service is not available to everyone and you must enter your address to check eligibility. Starting at $50 per month, it is expensive and targeted at fans living in a different area from their favorite team. It does not include any primetime games, only Sunday afternoon games not available on FOX and CBS in your local area. Check eligibility and see more details here. Use code 'Ringer' for a 10% discount. College students are also eligible for a 50% discount.

Antenna - another free (offline) option

Don't forget, an inexpensive TV antenna is a great way to watch NFL games on CBS, FOX, and NBC in HD for free. If you have good reception where you live it will give you free access to most NFL games (and many other sports) broadcast all year. The picture may also be better than the compressed HD live streams mentioned above.

Enjoy the NFL season, go Eagles!

]]>How to watch NFL online without cable for 2016Why Apple is building a TV guideJohn LannanThu, 04 Aug 2016 20:55:49 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/apple-tv-guide55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:57a3a703b3db2b45252b1ed5This shift in strategy was predictable once it became clear the TV networks
were not ready to give in to Apple's demands for a skinny bundle service.
If Apple is not able to differentiate the Apple TV with content (which
would presumably include some sort of guide), then the logical next step
would be to follow what they do with all of their products: best in class
hardware differentiated by software and UI. Peter Kafka, reporting for Recode:

Apple has started talking to TV programmers and other video companies about creating a digital TV guide that would work on both Apple TV boxes and other Apple devices, like iPhones.

The idea is to let users see what kind of programming is available in video apps made by the likes of HBO, Netflix and ESPN, without having to open up each app individually, and to play shows and movies with a single click.

This shift in strategy was predictable once it became clear the TV networks were not ready to give in to Apple's demands for a skinny bundle service. If Apple is not able to differentiate the Apple TV with content (which would presumably include some sort of guide), then the logical next step would be to follow what they do with all of their products: best in class hardware differentiated by software and UI.

Just as the iPhone and iPad do, the Apple TV could lead the competition in quantity and quality of apps, developer tools, and higher market share among the most desirable consumers. This could make it the platform of choice for developers and current Apple customers, and Apple would be able to command a premium price. Not the next iPhone-sized business, but a nice profitable business with some ecosystem lock-in effects.

]]>6 Months With T-Mobile - do the benefits outweigh the weak coverage?MobileJohn LannanSat, 23 Jul 2016 21:34:25 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/tmobile-benefits-outweigh-weak-coverage55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:5793e2e2f7e0abd3189622d4It's been about six months since T-Mobile's Binge-On free video streaming
during the NFL Playoffs lured me away from Straight Talk. Although I
frequently encounter dead zones where I used to have good coverage, I
haven't switched back. I've come close a few times, but then T-Mobile seems
to add another perk to their offering that convinces me to stay.It's been about six months since T-Mobile's Binge-On free video streaming during the NFL Playoffs lured me away from Straight Talk. Although I frequently encounter dead zones where I used to have good coverage, I haven't switched back. I've come close a few times, but then T-Mobile seems to add another perk to their offering that convinces me to stay.

I originally switched to T-Mobile for Binge-On, which allows subscribers to stream video from certain services without counting against the data cap. I've been streaming more video on my phone and tablet than ever before thanks to this feature. In fact, before writing this article I was watching Hulu in the airport during a flight delay.

After the NFL Playoffs ended, I considered switching back to an AT&T-based plan due to T-Mobile's weak coverage. Not only is T-Mobile's coverage spotty in suburban and rural areas, there are several dead zones in San Francisco. It can be very annoying to not be able to request an Uber when dinner is wrapping up or text to see if we need anything else from the grocery store. I even tried upgrading to a newer phone (from an iPhone 6 to a 6s), which T-Mobile claimed would improve my coverage, to no avail.

Right when I was considering switching to another plan, T-Mobile offered MLB.tv for free to its subscribers. Free streaming MLB games? Sure, don't mind if I do, I'll cope with the dead spots a little longer. Then more recently they began the T-Mobile Tuesdays promotions, which gives subscribers free movie rentals, food, Lyft credits, and more each and every Tuesday.

All of this makes it a difficult proposition to move to a different carrier. I really enjoy the free video streaming and use it often. T-Mobile's plans are also very full-featured. For no additional cost they offer the following features I use frequently: tethering, data rollover, free 2G data once data allotment is depleted, and free 2G data and texting while in foreign countries. To replicate all of these features and bonuses on a competitive carrier would be cost-prohibitive.

So I'll stick with T-Mobile for the time being and hope their coverage continues to improve.

]]>​Instead of building a TV streaming service Apple is building the next-gen cable boxEditorialJohn LannanWed, 29 Jun 2016 16:00:45 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/apple-cable-box55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:5773488b59cc68136268b76fApple has been has been in negotiations with TV networks and studios for
several years in an attempt to bring a streaming TV service to market,
multiple rumors would have us believe. However, those negotiations have not
resulted in a product launch or announcement. Meanwhile, Apple has
announced some new features for its eight-month-old 4th generation Apple
TV. Apple has been has been in negotiations with TV networks and studios for several years in an attempt to bring a streaming TV service to market, multiple rumors would have us believe. However, those negotiations have not resulted in a product launch or announcement. Meanwhile, Apple has announced some new features for its eight-month-old 4th generation Apple TV.

I think these new features may signal a change of course for Apple: instead of concentrating on building their own streaming service, they'll settle for building the 'cable box' of the future.

Apple is building out several small features that when taken together make it much easier for users to find apps and content they have access to. For example, a user can authenticate once with their pay TV provider and be presented with all the apps they have access to without having to sign into each individually. The user can also navigate to specific channels (such as ESPN2) using Siri. I can imagine several more features in this vein: ask Siri what is playing on a specific channel, ask Siri what live sports are on, some form of interactive TV guide. Why not add other features of modern streaming apps like picture-in-picture, and supplemental information such as live stats and related Tweets?

As pay TV providers evolve, and more entrants come to market with Internet-only products, the Apple TV could have a very robust array of content available. However, this content would presumably be available on several other devices and it's not clear if Apple will be able to differentiate its product enough to command a premium price. This puts the Apple TV in a similar position to any computer, where Apple focuses on an improved user experience to win customers over. I like their chances, but this market will likely not be as large or as lucrative as smartphones, laptops, or probably even watches. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised if we continue to hear rumors about Apple negotiating with TV providers for the foreseeable future.

]]>​List of iPad apps with support for Picture in PictureMobileJohn LannanFri, 22 Apr 2016 22:42:40 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/ipad-apps-picture-in-picture55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:571aa8e1c6fc0857af8cb3b4iPad apps with support for picture in picture mode was one of the things I
most looked forward to when I got my new 9.7" iPad Pro. I noticed a few of
my favorite video apps support this feature, but several did not. I could
not find a list anywhere of what iPad apps support picture in picture, so I
thought I'd create my own. iPad apps with support for picture in picture mode was one of the things I most looked forward to when I got my new 9.7" iPad Pro. I noticed a few of my favorite video apps support this feature, but several did not. I could not find a list anywhere of what iPad apps support picture in picture, so I thought I'd create my own. This is by no means comprehensive, but includes many of the most popular free video apps on the App Store with the exception of those from network and cable TV channels (too many commercials for my taste).

iPad Apps That Support Picture in Picture

* Default Video Player

* Amazon

* ESPN

* HBO Go

* Hulu

* MLB

* Netflix

* NHL

* Pocket

* Showtime

* Vudu

iPad Apps With Split Screen, but no PiP

* YouTube

YouTube would be a perfect fit for PiP and it's a shame it doesn't support it, but at least it does support split-screen. Note that Pocket does support watching YouTube videos in PiP, and I frequently use this to save videos to watch later.

YouTube doesn't support PiP, but does at least support split-screen

Notable Apps Without Support

* NFL

* NBA

* NBC Sports

* Fox Sports

This is one of my favorite features of the new iPads and hopefully it is only a matter of time before more video apps support PiP and split-screen.

]]>Thoughts on why the NFL picked Twitter to stream Thursday Night FootballEditorialJohn LannanTue, 05 Apr 2016 20:23:26 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/nfl-thursday-streaming-rights55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:57041ebf4d088ec4014eb125Twitter is the surprise winner of the rights to stream 10 Thursday Night
NFL football games this fall (NFL press release). Initially, I was
surprised Amazon, Verizon, or Yahoo didn’t win, especially after it was
reported they offered more. But the more I think about it, the more sense
it makes.Twitter is the surprise winner of the rights to stream 10 Thursday Night NFL football games this fall (NFL press release). Initially, I was surprised Amazon, Verizon, or Yahoo didn’t win, especially after it was reported they offered more. But the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.

Re/Code quoted the NFL executive in charge of media deals as saying “This is about driving incremental consumption”. If we unpack that a little bit, I think we can understand what the NFL’s strategy was.

Verizon already owns exclusive rights to stream NFL games on mobile phones (Verizon mobile phones, that is, and only in the US), and their bid likely would have had the same restriction.

As large as Amazon may seem, they are a very US-centric company. Their on-demand video service is only available outside of the US in the UK, Germany, Austria, Japan, and soon India. Although Amazon reportedly would not have restricted the NFL games to Prime members, they would have minimal distribution outside of the US.

US viewers already have plenty of options to watch Thursday Night Football: CBS/NBC free with an antenna or paid with cable/satellite, CBS/NBC authenticated streaming, and free with a Verizon smartphone plan.However, the NFL was interested in the partner that could reach the largest number of incremental viewers, the vast majority of which are outside of the US. After Facebook dropped out of negotiations, Twitter was probably the best remaining option. They have a large international audience, a single main mobile app (in contrast to Yahoo’s multitude of properties and apps), and they are willing to stream the games to anyone without logging into their service. (Presumably, Twitter will have the rights to stream the games to smartphones outside of the US, but I have not seen any reporting on that.)

American football fans may be a little confused about how to watch the game come fall, but I believe the NFL used these negotiations to push their international ambitions. I’m just surprised the deal was only for the 10 games broadcast by CBS/NBC, and did not include the remaining games that will be broadcast by the NFL Network.

]]>Embracing the Future of Computing - replacing MacBook with an iPadEditorialJohn LannanSat, 26 Mar 2016 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/replacing-macbook-with-pad55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:56f5cbdc1d07c03c85cd2b52I decided to retire my 5-year old MacBook Pro and replace it with the new
9.7" iPad Pro rather than another laptop. This decision isn't about form
factor, touchscreen vs keyboard & mouse, or being more mobile. It is about
embracing what I believe is the future of personal computing.I decided to retire my 5-year old MacBook Pro and replace it with the new 9.7" iPad Pro rather than another laptop. This decision isn't about form factor, touchscreen vs keyboard & mouse, or being more mobile. It is about embracing what I believe is the future of personal computing. A future where 'saving' a document is an irrelevant and antiquated concept. A future where 10-year-old photos and documents are accessible from any of my devices. A future where I use the same OS and applications on all of my devices, and they are automatically upgraded with minimal oversight.

To prepare for this shift, I uploaded all of my documents and digital media to various cloud services (most of which are free): Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, Flickr, Google Play Music, etc. Now all of the stuff I care about is accessible from any device and I have the added security of it being stored online in case something happens to my old backup drive.

Working this way has a significant number of advantages for me, but I know it isn't for everyone. Some people simply cannot get their work done on an iPad while others want to have a lot of control over their computing system - where everything is stored, manage multiple disk partitions, etc. To me this just gets in the way of what I want to accomplish.

It is also true that a traditional computer could be used in this manner, and Chromebooks are specifically designed to be used this way. This is in fact how I use my work-issued laptop, primarily with the help of Microsoft Office 365 and OneDrive. But the iPad feels more flexible and adaptable to a variety of computing environments and use cases.

I may decide I need a bigger screen or that I'm using my old laptop more than I anticipated. And I will probably look for accessories to mimic the traditional laptop form factor. But in the meantime I hope to be living in a simpler and more flexible computing environment.

]]>Embracing the Future of Computing - replacing MacBook with an iPadWhy I want native apps on my smartphone but websites on my laptopEditorialJohn LannanMon, 26 Oct 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/10/24/native-apps-on-smartphone-websites-on-laptop55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:562bbe67e4b0b86405794cc3I find myself increasingly relying on native apps on my smartphone, but
preferring to use websites on my laptop. This is true even for services
with apps available on both devices, such as Spotify and maps. In fact, I
only regularly use one app on my personal MacBook other than a web browser
and Apple's built-in apps - Evernote. I do use more apps on my work
MacBook, but mostly just Office.I find myself increasingly relying on native apps on my smartphone, but preferring to stay within the web browser on my laptop. This is true even for services with apps available on both devices, such as Twitter and Spotify. In fact, I only regularly use one app on my personal MacBook other than a web browser and Apple's built-in apps - Evernote. I do use more apps on my work MacBook, mostly the Office suite.

So why is this, why the apparent contradiction? I think it's actually quite simple - native apps do more and the smartphone is the center of my computing life. My smartphone is always with and my most-used computing device. I prefer to get my notifications on it, check the news and save articles to read later, and use it to quickly login with Touch ID to check my bank statement.

I can do all of these things on my laptop, but as smartphones have increased their capabilities my laptop has become more of a 'destination device'. Meaning, I go to it for to perform a specific task and then put it away. In between I'm on my phone. When I am on my laptop I want a simple experience. I don't want to go to multiple different sites to update apps and plugins every week (I'm looking at you Flash!) or quit apps to clear out memory. By living within a web browser I have a much simpler and streamlined experience on my laptop and still enjoy all of the functionality native apps can provide on my most important device - my smartphone.

Granted, I'm not doing anything too intensive on my laptop that requires an application to take advantage of the hardware, such as gaming or photo/video/audio editing. For all the talk the death of the web gets, I'd say desktop websites are as important as ever even as mobile websites decrease in importance.

]]>Siri's version of Live PhotosEditorialJohn LannanMon, 05 Oct 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/10/5/siris-version-of-live-photos55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:5610465ae4b0147725a87d24Live Photos is one of the more interesting and discussed features of the
iPhone 6s. It makes me wonder if it’s only a matter of time before all
photos are automatically sandwiched with high definition video. If the
processing power is there to do it for photos, why not with audio and Siri?Live Photos is one of the more interesting and discussed features of the iPhone 6s. It makes me wonder if it’s only a matter of time before all photos are automatically sandwiched with high definition video. If the processing power is there to do it for photos, why not with audio and Siri?

In the iPhone 6s, Siri can be activated hands-free by saying ‘Hey Siri’. On the iPhone 6, this feature was only available while the iPhone was connected to power, presumably because the processing required would be a significant drain on battery life.

I believe sometime in the future our mobile devices will always be listening to us, and not just for a ‘Hello Siri’ trigger. It may begin by constantly buffering a few seconds of audio, which can then be referred back to by the user. For example, a user may have a conversation about setting up a meeting, and could then say ‘Hey Siri, put that on my calendar’. The device will be able to look back at the conversation, and create a calendar appointment.

Further in the future, the device may be able to do this itself without a trigger from the user. Again using the example of setting up a meeting, Siri will analyze the conversation in real-time, understand the context, and take relevant action - all without direct interaction from the user.

Obviously, this is a bit of a ways off, but research in this field has been going on for many years. Recently, Apple bought a UK company that works on natural language processing, which would be a key component of making this vision a reality. The other key component is low-power processing and voice recognition, which they have been iterating on for many years and the results can be seen in Siri’s evolution.

]]>Microsoft Office and OneDrive are a really good deal, it's time to give them another lookEditorialJohn LannanMon, 28 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/microsoft-office-good-deal55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:56083003e4b0f5f433a6f978If you are in the market for productivity software, cloud storage, or both
it's time to give Microsoft another look. Microsoft's OneDrive offers 1TB
of storage for $7/month, while competitors Dropbox, Google Drive, and
Apple's iCloud all cost $10. However, Microsoft's 1TB plan also includes
access to Office 365. This is a great deal for great productivity software
and cloud storage that the competition simply cannot match.If you are in the market for productivity software, cloud storage, or both it's time to give Microsoft another look. Microsoft's OneDrive offers 1TB of storage for $7/month, while competitors Dropbox, Google Drive, and Apple's iCloud all cost $10. However, Microsoft's 1TB plan also includes access to Office 365. This is a great deal for productivity software and cloud storage that the competition simply cannot match.

I used Microsoft Office for many years when school and work required it. Free solutions Google Docs/Sheets/Slides and Open Office were sufficient for my personal use.

I recently got a new work Mac and used Apple Pages/Numbers/Keynote that come free with new Macs for a few months. Ultimately, I reverted to Office because Apple's software isn't 100% compatible with Microsoft's (which all of my colleagues use) and Microsoft's software is superior, particularly Excel and Outlook.

I opted for an Office 365 subscription over a one-time purchase and this is when I discovered Office 365 includes 1TB of OneDrive storage. This can be used to back up photos, documents, and other files from a computer or mobile device. This makes it very attractive when compared to iCloud or competing cloud storage solutions, especially for people that use an iPhone and a Windows PC, as opposed to someone who uses an iPhone and a Mac. iCloud only comes with 5GB of free storage, which is enough to backup my iPhone's settings and passwords.

It is in Microsoft's strategic interests to get as many users as they can on an Office 365 subscription. They've come up with a very powerful and valuable bundle, one that their primary competition simply cannot meet for business or advanced users - not yet, anyway.

]]>A few small but interesting decisions Apple has made recentlyEditorialJohn LannanTue, 15 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/13/a-few-small-but-interesting-decisions-apple-has-made-recently55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55f612d7e4b07d98b6d44f75Apple made several announcements last week, including new iPhones, iPads,
and an Apple TV. In the process, they revealed a number of small decisions
they've made but decisions that I find telling about their product lines
and thinking.Apple made several announcements last week, including new iPhones, iPads, and an Apple TV. In the process, they revealed a number of small decisions they've made but decisions that I find telling about their product lines and thinking.

Want a gold iPhone? You have to get the 6s

The iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus are still being sold by Apple, but only in space gray and silver, even though they were previously available in gold. The newly announced 6s and 6s Plus are available in four colors - gold, rose gold, space gray, and silver.

The gold color options has been quite popular in my group of friends, and this decision seems like a move to push people towards the newest models.

Apple Watch Sport available in new colors

Meanwhile, the entry-level Apple Watch Sport is now available in gold and rose gold aluminum colors. This could be interpreted as a way to spur lackluster sales. Typically, Apple works hard to maintain or even raise the average selling prices of its products, not give customers a reason to buy a lower-priced product. Obviously, very few people are going to purchase a solid gold Apple Watch, but it is interesting that Apple is expanding options at the bottom of the product line, not in the middle - especially given that the mid-tier product is simply referred to as 'Apple Watch'.

However, these color options must have been in the works for months, long before Apple had much/any Watch sales data. Perhaps there were several options for product line expansion on the drawing board and this one was accelerated, for whatever reason.

Siri features for Apple TV, but what about iOS?

The new Apple TV will support Siri, with some specific features related to finding movies and TV shows, including universal search (if search across a handful of apps can be considered universal). Two weeks ago Adobe released a report claiming almost 62% of pay TV is streamed on Apple devices, most of it on iPhones and iPads. Why wouldn't Apple bring these new Apple TV features to their other devices, making it easier for users to find what they want to watch, regardless of what device they happen to be using?

The new Apple TV has a ton of gaming features, but no dedicated controller

As expected, Apple spent a lot of time on gaming features for the new Apple TV during its announcement. However, a bundled gaming controller (other than the included remote) was not among the announcements (but 3rd party options will be supported). This seems strange to me. Either Apple is serious about gaming on the Apple TV, but only with the remote - or they aren't serious about gaming.

A specific, dedicated input method is key to any game - be it the Playstation or Xbox controller, Wii remote, PC keyboard and mouse, or smartphone touchscreen. The game developer must know what input method they're developing for, and optimize around it. The developer also has to consider how large the market is for a game with a specific controller. The market for a Guitar Hero game is much smaller than the market for a game relying on the system's included controller.

Perhaps Apple designed the remote specifically for gaming and that will be the target for developers. Either way, there likely won't be a big market for games requiring a dedicated controller - at least in the absence of a must-play game.

]]>Is Apple's iPhone Upgrade Plan a Good Deal? Sort ofMobileJohn LannanThu, 10 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/9/iphone-upgrade-plan55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55f10003e4b0182a80f89feaAt yesterday's unveiling of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple also announced
an iPhone Upgrade Plan. The pitch is simple: pay for your phone in monthly
installments with $0 down and get a new iPhone every year. Most of the big
carriers have moved away from contracts and subsidized phones, so this
upgrade plan is a natural fit. But is it a good deal and should you do it?
Well, that depends.At yesterday's unveiling of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple also announced an iPhone Upgrade Plan. The pitch is simple: pay for your phone in monthly installments with $0 down and get a new iPhone every year. Most of the big carriers have moved away from contracts and subsidized phones, so this upgrade plan is a natural fit. But is it a good deal and should you do it? Well, that depends.

First, some details. The iPhone Upgrade Plan includes AppleCare+, but the fine print reads:

AppleCare+ for iPhone provides coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling. Each incident is subject to a service fee plus applicable tax ($79 for iPhone 6 or earlier models, $99 for iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus).

AppleCare+ extends the standard warranty and provides support, but the handling fees aren't that much less than common repairs such as screen replacements. The iPhone Upgrade Plan requires a 24 month installment loan with Citizens Bank and activation with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint. You're eligible for a new iPhone after 12 payments, and the old device must be traded in when upgrading. The website doesn't exactly specify, but I'd imagine a new 24 month loan is required every time you upgrade.

In the past, the only way to get a new iPhone every year was to buy a model at full price or with a carrier's early upgrade plan. So, how does this new plan compare financially?

Apple's iPhone Upgrade Plan vs AT&T Next and other options

A new base model iPhone has a full retail price of $650. Apple's upgrade plan would cost $778 over two years, or $32.41 per month. AT&T Next has a similar plan that is available for an upgrade after 12 payments, and costs the same price (plus $15 upgrade fees) but does not come with AppleCare. AT&T's upgrade plan also includes a discount of $15-$25 per month on Mobile Share plans, which isn't captured here. Other carriers do not have one-year upgrade plans advertised on their websites.

The other option would be to buy a new iPhone at full price every year and sell or trade in the old device. This would save a considerable amount of money, but again doesn't come with AppleCare and requires the hassle of selling the old device. (I assumed a $400 sell price for the old device, based on eBay sales data. In my experience, Craigslist would fetch about the same. Trading in to Gazelle or Amazon would bring in considerably less money.)

All the carriers also offer 24 month financing options, which is less expensive than Apple's plan - but you only get a new device every two years and they don't include AppleCare.

In conclusion, the iPhone Upgrade Plan isn't the least expensive way to get a new iPhone every year. It is, however, a great option for people that want AppleCare and/or don't want to deal with the hassle of selling old iPhones on Craigslist every year. It fits well with the carriers' new contract-free plans, but won't work with prepaid plans. It is also nice to have a monthly bill that's always the same versus large expenses once per year. This plan should be attractive to many iPhone fans.

]]>Is Apple's iPhone Upgrade Plan a Good Deal? Sort ofMy experience using the iPhone in ChinaEditorialJohn LannanWed, 09 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/1/using-iphone-in-china55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e6667be4b076794ac982d1Earlier this summer I spent a few weeks in mainland China on a business
trip. I used my iPhone 6 to communicate with local colleagues and people
back home. In China, the iPhone has several advantages over an Android
phone (at least the version of Android with Google Play that we're used to
in the US). Here are a few of my quick thoughts and observations on the
iPhone in China.Earlier this summer I spent a few weeks in mainland China on a business trip. I used my iPhone 6 to communicate with local colleagues and people back home. In China, the iPhone has several advantages over an Android phone (at least the version of Android with Google Play that we're used to in the US). Here are a few of my quick thoughts and observations on the iPhone in China.

First, a few technical things... I have the unlocked/T-Mobile version of the iPhone 6, Model A1549 (GSM). I was able to use this on a local carrier's 3G network, but not LTE (I forget now if it was China Telecom or Unicom, but I know it wasn't China Mobile). Coverage and data speed was pretty good where I was, which wasn't in a major city. In fact, it was good enough to use Apple's FaceTime Audio most of the time...

Many of Google's services are blocked or unreliable in China, but Apple has several built-in apps that made my life easier. I used iMessage and FaceTime to communicate back home, Maps to find where I was going, and Yahoo for internet searches. At one point my contacts stopped working because they are synced through Google. I may have to change that if I go back.

This isn't an issue for people buying phones locally because even Android phones in China don't rely on Google services. iPhone users may rely more on local messaging clients than iMessage or FaceTime, but it's an added bonus for someone doing a lot of business in China or communicating with Westerners.

I was surprised by the number of iPhones (and Apple Watches) that I observed while I was there. Perhaps I shouldn't have been given Apple's recent financial results in the country, but it was still interesting to see so many iPhone 6 Plus's where I was, which wasn't in a major city but in the area of a Tier-3 city. Clearly Apple has been very successful thus far, and there is still plenty of room for growth.

]]>How to watch NFL online free and paid this season on iPhone, iPad, Android, & moreW2WJohn LannanTue, 08 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/1/watch-nfl-online55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e66ee0e4b0967634a2cbe5Watch NFL online on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and more devices
this season. There are are several ways to watch NFL online with and
without cable. I'll highlight all of the major options below.Watch NFL online on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and more devices this season. There are are several ways to watch NFL online with and without cable. I'll highlight all of the major options below.

Watch NFL online free on smartphones

The cheapest way to watch NFL online is with a Verizon cell plan. This is the only way to watch live NFL games on a smartphone other than with an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription (see below).

Verizon subscribers can watch all primetime games (Thursday, Sunday, & Monday), plus local Sunday afternoon games free on their smartphone. The RedZone Channel is also available for an extra $5 per month. Watch through the NFL Mobile app for iPhone and Android.

A few free streaming games

A few games will be streamed free to everyone. Yahoo will stream the October 25th matchup of the Bills and Jaguars from London at 9:30am ET. CBS will stream the other London game, an October 4th matchup of the Jets and Dolphins also at 9:30am ET and a Thanksgiving day game between the Cowboys and Panthers. CBS will also stream the AFC playoffs and the Superbowl for free.

Watch NFL online with Sunday Ticket

NFL Sunday Ticket is back as a streaming option, but again only in a limited way. The only games that can be watched through it are Sunday afternoon games not televised in your local area. The service is not available to everyone, either.

There are 3 packages available: $200 for mobile devices and laptops, $260 for Xbox, Playstation, and Roku, or $360 for RedZone Channel and access on all devices. Get more info and check eligibility here.

Watch NFL online with a (cable) subscription

The following options aren't available on smartphones because Verizon has exclusive smartphone streaming rights, but will work on tablets, laptops, and streaming boxes.

Monday Night Football is available with a Sling TV subscription or on watchESPN with a cable subscription. Sling TV is available for $20/month, try it free for 7 days. For cable subscribers, Sunday Night Football is available on NBC Sports Live Extra, select FOX games are available on FOX Sports Go, and NFL Network games are available as well. Not all cable providers support these digital platforms though.

More ways to watch NFL

An antenna will get you games from NBC, CBS, and FOX, provided you have reception in your area. This is a great way to watch games live for free.

Another way to watch NFL online, but not quite live is with NFL Now. NFL Now Live shows highlights and reactions all day long on Sunday, sort of a poor man's RedZone. It is available for free through the NFL Mobile app for iPhone/iPad and Android, the NFL app on Apple TV and Xbox, computers, and more.

]]>How to watch NFL online free and paid this season on iPhone, iPad, Android, & moreNow is a great time to try a prepaid cell phone planMobileJohn LannanFri, 04 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/8/30/great-time-prepaid-cell-plan55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e3ab27e4b0a2a7099ff66fAll of the major US carriers are deemphasizing or doing away with two-year
contracts and phone subsidies. This makes the true monthly cost of cellular
service more transparent, and it is much higher than prepaid carriers. With
the new iPhone a few weeks away and several great Android phones launching
recently, it's a great time to try a prepaid plan and save a bunch of
money.All of the major US carriers are deemphasizing or doing away with two-year contracts and phone subsidies. This makes the true monthly cost of cellular service more transparent, and it is much higher than prepaid carriers. With the new iPhone a few weeks away and several great Android phones launching recently, it's a great time to try a prepaid plan and save a bunch of money.

For example, AT&T is no longer offering plans with contracts and subsidies on their website. Their plan with unlimited calling and texting and 5GB of data goes for $75 plus taxes and fees. That same exact plan costs $45 on Straight Talk or Cricket, both of which run on AT&T's LTE network. Verizon charges $65 for a plan with 3GB and $80 for 6GB. T-Mobile is a little more reasonable, but their coverage is not as good, especially outside of major metro areas.

These prices no longer include the cost of a phone. If you're comfortable paying the full price of your phone up front (or using your old phone) instead of paying for it monthly, a prepaid plan can clearly save you a lot of money. They don't come with all the extra options of the big carriers (international roaming, shared data, device insurance) but you'll get a lot more for you money. Cricket also offers great family plans at a fraction of the cost of the major carriers.

]]>Hulu announces ad-free subscription for $12/monthTV & MediaJohn LannanThu, 03 Sep 2015 03:38:27 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/2/hulu-ad-free-subscription55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e7bd50e4b04afad8612918Hulu has launched a commercial-free subscription for $12 per month, $4 more
than the previous paid plan. Although cable TV has always included ads and
a subscription fee, Hulu with ads always felt odd to me in a world of
Netflix. I use Hulu occasionally and am not a fan of the repetitive ads and
issues with skipping ahead in programs.Hulu has launched a commercial-free subscription for $12 per month, $4 more than the previous paid plan. Although cable TV has always included ads and a subscription fee, Hulu with ads always felt odd to me in a world of Netflix. I use Hulu occasionally and am not a fan of the repetitive ads and issues with skipping ahead in programs.

Although Hulu fans may be tempted to upgrade to the commercial-free plan, the higher price makes me question the service's value even more. The majority of Hulu's popular programs are available free with an antenna, although they are getting more movies and original programming. At $12 per month, a user could instead pay for an antenna-based DVR in about a year and a half. Some people will prefer the flexibility and mobile readiness of a streaming service though. Sign up for a free Hulu trial and get more info here.

]]>TV - too much choice the cause of ratings declines?TV & MediaJohn LannanWed, 02 Sep 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/1/tv-ratings-declines55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e61027e4b05bdbbb271b8bThe New York Times discussing comments from FX CEO John Landgraf and HBO
head of programming Michael Lombardo:
Mr. Lombardo and other executives say it is harder than ever to build
an audience for a show when viewers are confronted with so many choices
and might click away at any moment. As a result, executives say, it’s
hard to make money off that show.
The success of scripted shows like “Modern Family,” “The Walking Dead”
and others has set off something like a land grab. The number of
scripted shows produced by networks, cable networks and online services
ballooned to 371 last year, according to statistics compiled by FX. Mr.
Landgraf believes that figure will pass 400 this year, which would
nearly double the 211 shows made in 2009.The New York Times discussing comments from FX CEO John Landgraf and HBO head of programming Michael Lombardo:

Mr. Lombardo and other executives say it is harder than ever to build an audience for a show when viewers are confronted with so many choices and might click away at any moment. As a result, executives say, it’s hard to make money off that show.

The success of scripted shows like “Modern Family,” “The Walking Dead” and others has set off something like a land grab. The number of scripted shows produced by networks, cable networks and online services ballooned to 371 last year, according to statistics compiled by FX. Mr. Landgraf believes that figure will pass 400 this year, which would nearly double the 211 shows made in 2009.

There was no reference in the article to the increase in the number of channels. FX grew into FX, FXX, and FXM in the fall of 2013. How are viewers supposed to keep track of where to watch that new show they heard of? Never mind that cable bills are growing partially due to these bloated bundles with more and more channels.

Diminished ratings in television have been a reality for some time, but that has largely been credited to technological challenges and changes in viewing habits. Mr. Landgraf, counterintuitively, attributes declining ratings, in part, to too much choice, no matter how good the show.

Cable companies and TV networks have treated their customers with hostility - bloated and expensive bundles, limited options to watch later or on mobile devices, increased advertisement loads, terrible customer service, and more. Of course viewers are drifting to platforms with less friction such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, and iTunes.

However, the economics are evolving. Selling rights for an old show to Netflix used to be viewed as extra profit for the networks. That is changing as more consumers reduce or cancel their cable packages and spend more of their viewing time on online platforms. This is exactly why Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and everyone else is creating more original content. Sounds great for consumers - until Netflix has a critical mass of popular shows and starts raising prices to cover programming costs (just like cable companies have done over the last fifteen years).

]]>Download Amazon Prime videos to iPhone, iPad, & AndroidTV & MediaJohn LannanTue, 01 Sep 2015 15:26:13 +0000http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/9/1/download-amazon-prime-iphone-ipad-android55031d33e4b0dcef08f6c1ab:55032d45e4b0a28bc1d2fb05:55e5c39ce4b04dfa43b0c84aKindle Fire users have been able to download select Amazon Prime titles to their tablet for offline viewing for some time, and now the feature is coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android users. From Recode:

The feature isn’t available for every video Amazon streams, since Amazon needs to work out deals with individual content owners (that is, pay them more money). Amazon says it has “thousands” of titles available for download; in most cases, subscribers will have 15 to 30 days to watch them.

And it looks like those titles include a pretty diverse lineup: There are Amazon’s own home-grown shows, like “Transparent,” of course. But there are also offerings from CBS (“The Good Wife”), Fox (“Sons of Anarchy”), MGM (“The Hunger Games”) and Paramount (“Star Trek Into Darkness”).

One particularly noteworthy get: Amazon says Prime members can download the old HBO shows that Amazon landed last year, including “Girls,” “Entourage” and “The Wire.” That’s something even HBO and HBO Now subscribers can’t do.

This is a really nice feature for frequent travelers and road tripping families. I've contemplated getting a Kindle Fire tablet in the past just to use this feature while on long flights. With yet another useful feature included in a $99/year Prime subscription, I may have to consider getting it. Get the Amazon Prime Video app for iPhone, iPad, or Android (Android setup is a little complicated) and try a free one month trial of Amazon Prime.